I’M WORKING UP to watching it myself, but I didn’t want to delay a moment in sharing the segment with you from the “Growing a Greener World” public-television episode I’m featured on in November 2013. Yes, I still get nervous watching myself on TV, if you can believe it (radio’s more in my comfort zone), but no reason for you to hesitate.

Executive Producer and host Joe Lamp’l (top of page) and his colleague, Director of Photography Carl Pennington (above), spent two days here in August with me and my beloved late cat Jack (who immortalized himself with a walk-on and even earned himself a “field producer” credit, apparently). Watch now (and then be sure to find your local public-television station for future viewing of “Growing a Greener World”). Joe’s behind-the-scenes blog post on his visit is at this link.

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I am trying to wait until Saturday morning to watch you and Jack (no, Jack – she still gets top billing!) sort of like eating the two chocolate cookies before allowing myself to eat the Oreo filling! Since I was not able to attend your Open Days this year, I may succumb to the podcast before then, though. Very much looking forward to the show!

Margaret, Just loved the episode of you and your garden. Your garden, full of texture and interest, has a sense of peace and tranquility. It was fun to see it along with Jack, the frogs and your wonderful water features. Loved the potted begonias around the little contained pool of water with algae. I can appreciate all the hard work. It sure has paid off for you. A little slice of paradise — all your own. Thanks for inviting us along.

I loved this episode, Margaret! I enjoyed seeing your beautiful garden and feeling a part of it by recognizing areas from your slideshows and books. And seeing Jack! I liked that you have a very natural conversation with Joe. I’ll be saving this episode to watch again. Thanks so much for all your design tips and ideas.

What a wonderful segment! Thank you Margaret for sharing your unique perspective. Your podcast and book have been such a great inspiration. You love your garden & the Garden loves you right back! We all Love Jack too! I will share this with my friends:)

Congratulations, Margaret. You look and the garden look lovely, and send a wonderful message — taking care of one another. I’m an early subscriber to your site and look forward to your messages each month.

Your biggest influence — design by sighting from inside. I designed based on the view from my porch, and den windows. I’ve improved the backdoor with flowering shrubs and potted plants. This year — the front which is lovely evergreens, will have bulbs and perennials. Thank you and bless you!

Nice ! Also enjoy Joe’s books as well…So you are an organic gardener who “pulls the weeds” and “squishes the bugs.” Lol…I love it…u r the real deal…no pretension. Glad to see u interspersing & weaving the more natural “wild garden” techniques into your nicely manicured garden areas…beautiful ! It is a terrific transition blend. It also works for me out west. So maybe your next genesis in your lifelong gardening journey will to allow some of that dandelion…and perhaps purslane…to also grow a bit & add more diversity & nutrients to your table…Love the way to playfully scold Joe on the decades of garden development :) So great to see you able to live out your passion…I suspect there are many folks following this website who are there in part because they fancy living out that dream along with you…

Nice to “meet” you Jeff, and thank you for you very kind comment. I do feel very blessed to be able to be here at this stage of my life, though by this time in the season I am a little sick of pushing the lawn mower (ready to shift over to snow-shovel duty!). :)

Thank you, Joanne, for your sweet greetings for me and His Royal Highness. He is all puffed up since watching himself on TV!

Hi, Margaret, The video was great and the garden looks beautiful. Your advice to go inside your home and look out to plan your garden bears repeating. Could you tell us the name of the golden-foliage shrub that appears to the right of you at 6:45 and throughout the video? Is it S. racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’?

I learned so much from this program! Thanks especially, Margaret, for the tips on choosing exterior house paints. I knew SOMETHING was wrong with my choice of beige with white trim, and now I can fix it! I look forward to your open days next year, and will make it a priority to visit. I listen regularly to your podcasts and have quickly become a devoted reader. Thank you, Margaret. I must say. . . . I don’t know how you get it all done!

Margaret, I read watch Joe just as regularly as I read this blog. Imagine my surprise when you ‘showed up’ on last week’s show. You would’ve thought I know you personally: I’m shouting “look, it’s Margaret!” It was wonderful to see video of you and your gardens.

What a great show! Just watched it while eating lunch at my desk. (So fun to watch Jack walk across my computer screen.) The garden looked as terrific as ever and I learned much as I always to when I “visit.” I’m beginning plans now for a bigger compost area and water feature…just when I was trying to figure out what I would do all winter. I can’t resist saying thank you again Margaret for sharing your knowledge and your garden with the Conservancy. You’re the best.

Margaret the show was great and your gardens spectacular. I have used your ideas about putting the garden where you can view it from the house and now that I am again moving to a new place will put it into practice down in N.C. After 20 + years of gardening on 20acres I now am going to be on 4acres. I will be rereading all your books and articles while planning new but smaller beds. Back to the show. I have saved it on the DVD and will show it to my Master Gardener group before I move. I think they will all find it enjoyable as well as informative. Will make for a great meeting. Thanks to you and Jack for bringing the Woo Woo to so many gardeners.

From the Podcast: Doug Tallamy’s ‘Nature’s Best Hope’

“Nature’s Best Hope” is the title of University of Delaware professor Doug Tallamy’s newest book, and the subtitle reads like this: “A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard.” In other words, you and I are nature’s best hope. Our actions count, and they add up to counteract a fragmented landscape and other challenges to the survival of so many critically important native creatures and the greater environment we all share. (Stream our conversation below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)